Green, and the Art of Sustainable Design
For years the debate over aesthetic sacrifice versus the necessity of ‘minimalist evil’ has kept the potentials of up and coming visionaries at bay. While it can be argued that technology has held a cold grasp on the advancements of sensitive design, it can hardly justify why there has been an increasingly detrimental trend in the changes and progress of education and awareness. Whether you believe this to be a driven by economics, society, education or simple lack of concious exposure to the histories that have guided us, one fact has become ever more painfully clear over the past 3 and a half decades: philosophy has lost its art.
Yet, all is not lost and out of chaos comes organization. (Says Gyorgy Kepes, anyway). Finally an author has tapped into the basic philosophies of art, architecture and design while at the same time providing relevance to the current issues that have defined this century already.
The Philosophy of Sustainable Design by Jason McLennan takes an easily readable approach to the past, present and future of ‘Green Design’. His savvy presentation of the principles of environmentally concious art and architecture are done so for the aspiring novice as well as the veterans of the trade. While his tenor advocates to a high degree the need for sustainable progress, it is presented with logic and demonstration that is hard to ignore and deserving of appreciation. Even to the consumate skeptic. This is complemented yet further by his compelling predictions on the next century of man and design. A must read for anyone with an iota of appreciation for the environment, both hemically and aesthetic.
Additional links of interest:
Art Center College of Design, a great section with stunning examples of young, cutting edge visions of green concious design.
City of Tempe, a look into the new transportation center on the new Light Rail route. Demonstrates the integration of ‘Sustainable Strategies‘
